Regardless of where you’re from, you no doubt enjoyed heaps of fun games with your friends during your childhood, and we’re not talking about video games. Back in the old days, we all kept ourselves occupied without digital games, and we Brits were no exception. In fact, we had a particularly wide variety of childhood games that won’t be found anywhere else. So, let’s take a trip down memory lane and reminisce over a list of classic British games.
British Bulldog
Even though our teachers constantly tried to ban it, British Bulldog was a playground classic, focusing heavily on the skills of speed and bravery. As StreetGames.uk remembers, players tried to run from one side of the playground to the other without being caught by the “bulldog” in the middle, making for a thrilling, albeit chaotic and often dangerous, game that tended to result in a “bundle” of kids on the ground.
Hopscotch
On a more gentle note than bulldog, hopscotch combined balance and coordination with a simple chalk-drawn grid on the pavement, making for a calming game that was particularly popular among schoolgirls. We’d toss a stone and hop from square to square on one leg in a test of agility, and best of all, it could be enjoyed as both a solo challenge and a group game.
Red Rover
Here’s one for the older readers: Red Rover involved calling players over to break through a linked line of arms. Teams formed and called out the name of someone from the opposing team, daring them to break the chain. This game tested strength and strategy, often resulting in moments of triumph or giggles. It wasn’t too far off from British Bulldog, although it definitely felt less dangerous.
Stuck in the Mud
Another childhood game that will undoubtedly bring back fond memories for Brits is Stuck in the Mud, a variation of tag where the tagged player had to freeze with their legs apart. Teammates could crawl between their legs to unfreeze them, making for a fast-paced and fun game where everyone was constantly moving, ducking, and diving; unless you were “stuck in the mud,” at least.
What’s the Time, Mr Wolf?
We simply couldn’t miss “What’s the time, Mr Wolf” off our list, as it was simply a classic. One player, known as the “wolf,” called out times of the day, such as “1 o’clock” or “breakfast time,” while other players crept closer with each count. Eventually, when “Dinner time!” was shouted, everyone would run away to avoid being caught. It was a game of strategy and quick reactions, making it a playground favorite. Sometimes, school teachers would even join in as the wolf!
Skipping Games
In terms of physical activity, you couldn’t really beat skipping ropes as a childhood game. Perhaps you stuck to skipping a single rope, or maybe you were that one kid who could skip multiple ropes while jumping to complex rhymes and tricks. You could do it alone, with a friend, or in groups with long ropes, making for a truly versatile and energetic way to pass the time.
Hide and Seek
Perhaps the most timeless game on this list is Hide and Seek, a game that kids still love playing to this day. The best thing about it was that it didn’t require any equipment, just a good hiding spot and patience. The thrill of finding the perfect hiding place, or the suspense of being found, makes it an evergreen favorite. If you have any kids in your life, make sure you remind them of how fun it is.
Conkers
Exclusively played in the autumn, conkers involved collecting horse chestnuts and threading them onto strings, then taking turns to strike opponents’ conkers until one cracked. There was real art in finding the perfect conker and preparing it for battle, with some kids even steeping their conkers in vinegar and baking them to optimize their hardness. In fact, conkers were so iconic that many Brits don’t realize that “conkers” are actually called chestnuts!
Duck, Duck, Goose
When playing “Duck, Duck, Goose,” kids would sit in a circle, and a designated player would tap everyone’s heads, saying “duck” until choosing someone to be the “goose.” At this moment, the chase was on as the chosen player tried to catch the one who tapped them. This game was all about timing and quick sprints, bringing endless rounds of laughter and excitement.
Marbles
While marbles were and still are popular all around the world, they were a particular hit in old-school Britain. Usually, players would flick their marbles to hit others out of a drawn circle, winning the marbles they knocked out. However, we often just invented our own games, even enjoying the simple pleasure of collecting different colors and sizes.
It
In most of the world, kids play tag, but not in the UK–we play “It!” “It” was a simple game of chasing and being chased, adaptable to any setting. Players sprinted to avoid becoming “it,” darting between trees, playground equipment, or even within the schoolyard. Its simplicity meant it could be played anywhere, keeping kids active and entertained for hours.
Cat’s Cradle
Using a loop of string, Cat’s Cradle involved creating intricate patterns between fingers. Passed between players, each would manipulate the string into new shapes. It was a game of patience and dexterity, often played in pairs during quiet moments, with each new shape a small achievement. However, you likely only remember paying attention to this game if you were a schoolgirl.
Chinese Whispers
If you’re British, Chinese Whispers will no doubt bring back fond memories for you. In this game, everyone sat in a circle, and the leader, usually the teacher, would whisper a message to the first child. The child would then pass it on to the next child, and so on. The aim of the game was to get the final message all the way around the circle, but more often than not, the message would be completely different by the end of the game.
Yellow Car
Nothing helped long road trips pass by quite like a game of “Yellow Car.” This game was incredibly simple yet so entertaining–all you had to do was spot yellow cars out of your window. Kids were supposed to just count how many they saw and compare their points, but in reality, seeing a yellow car usually gave you the right to give the other player a thump on the arm.
Clapping Games
Clapping games were popular among kids, especially girls, featuring rhythmic hand claps set to catchy rhymes. From “Pat-a-cake” to “Miss Mary Mack,” these games tested memory and coordination and were usually played in pairs or small groups. If you were a schoolboy, you probably remember looking at the girls playing these games with complete confusion.
Hangman
When the weather was rubbish at school, and it was too wet to play out on the playground, teachers would often start a game of hangman. While there was something undeniably morbid about the concept, it was a lot of fun. It was a simple game of letter guessing, and everyone felt the pressure to win, or else the poor cartoon man would be left hanging!
Rounders
Finally, every Brit remembers playing rounders on sunny days, especially during P.E. It was sort of like a combination of cricket and baseball, involving a bat, ball, and posts to run around. Teams took turns to bat and field, scoring points by completing runs. Most of us found it quite difficult, but there was always that one kid who managed to bat the ball out of the school grounds.